ALLENTOWN, PA. - PPL Utilities line crews responded to more than 300 separate cases of trouble overnight resulting from a line of thunderstorms that descended upon eastern and central Pennsylvania.

The storms hit the Allentown and Bethlehem areas hardest. PPL reports that of the 40,000 customers who were without power last night, more than 38,000 customers from across PPL's 29-county service territory were restored by morning. The Lehigh Valley was the hardest hit with approximately 30,000 customers affected in Allentown and Bethlehem.

"We were well prepared to face these storms and called in crews from throughout our service area to focus on the hardest hit regions," said Robert M. Geneczko, vice president for Power Delivery at PPL. "We are also working around the clock to clear up the remaining cases of trouble."

The company reported that less than 5,000 customers were still without power as of 2:00 this afternoon. Genescko said that he expects power to be restored to customers in Allentown by tomorrow morning and in Bethlehem by noontime tomorrow.

PPL is working to provide outreach services, including ice and dry ice, to customers who have been without power for an extended period of time.

Customers in need of ice or dry ice can call PPL toll free at 1-800-DIAL PPL (1-800-342-5775).